Clay County Biographies

WILLIAM B. SMITH

WILLIAM B. SMITH proprietor of the Missouri City Livery, Feed and Sales & Stables, and Missouri City and Excelsior Springs Stage line.

Mr. Smith is now in the 3rd year of his experience here in his present line of business, and has thoroughly established his business on a firm footing. He has a good establishment in this line, an excellent building for the purpose, which is well stocked with riding and driving horses, and with carriages, buggies, etc.

By close attention to business and fair dealing he has won the good opinions of the community and the traveling public as a livery man, and receives a liberal share of their patronage. Mr. Smith came to Missouri from Illinois in 1878.

He at once located at Missouri City, and has been a resident of this place ever since, except for one year, which he spent at Excelsior Springs. Prior to engaging in the livery business he clerked in a dry goods store for about 3 years, but at Excelsior Springs he was engaged in the drug and grocery business on his own account.

He was born in Menard county, IL., Nov. 4, 1844. His father, JUDGE SAMUEL SMITH, was originally from Dutchess county, NY, and in his younger days was a school teacher by profession.

In 1836 he came West and located in Cass county, IL. Subsequently he lived in Menard county for awhile, but returned to Cass and made that his permanent home. He was judge of the Cass county court for a number of years. William B. was reared in Cass county and remained there until he came to Missouri in 1878. He has been married twice.

His first wife was a MISS MARY A. WHITSELL, daughter of HIRAM WHITSELL, of Clinton county, Missouri. She survived her marriage but five years, dying in 1879 and leaving one child, ARTELIA M.

His second wife was a MISS ROBERTA A. WINFREY, daughter of W. H. WINFREY, deceased, formerly of Carroll county, Missouri. Mr. Smith and his present wife have no children. She is a member of the Christian Church.

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This page was last updated June 7, 2005.